Breaking Free
Step-by-step is more effective
It keeps piling,
stacking one atop the other.
The bundle towers over my willpower.
Multiple bundles surround me,
each urging for my attention.
They seem to inch closer
as they grow taller.
I frantically look for an opening,
to squeeze out of this.
I manage to crawl out
or walk out sideways,
pulled out by an irresistible distraction.
Before I get comfortable
with momentary relief,
the stacks gather around me,
this time closer, tighter, taller.
I push the one ahead of me,
then the shortest one,
then the thinnest one,
hoping one may topple.
They jiggle but stand firm.
Giving up on any hope to escape,
I climb each pile,
pull out each piece at the top,
dismantle one stack at a time.
It is tempting to walk out,
head held high
after the first one,
but I am extremely frustrated
to spare the remaining ones.
I keep at it till I only see
vast empty space around me.
I know the fight isn’t over.
They will return,
with more ferocity.
but this time I will be ready
to break them while they are short.
